Our History

The English Lutheran Church of the Redeemer had its humble beginnings back in 1892 when a small group met in a brick house at the corner of Broadway and Stophlet Street to organize a new church. Eleven charter members (William Spiegel, Henry Ehle, R.C. Reinewald, Herman Kucher, Henry Salge, Charles Bente, William Kirchner, William Klingman, H.G. Steup, John Christlieb, and Thomas Baxter) formed Redeemer Lutheran Church as the first English speaking Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne. Services were held on Sunday evenings alternately at St. Paul's Lutheran Church and Emanuel Lutheran Church until a building was purchased from Plymouth Congregational Church on Washington Boulevard and Fulton Street later that year. The church joined the English Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and Other States, which then became the English District of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod in 1911. The first pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church, the Reverend C.F.W. Meyer, served Redeemer from 1893 to 1902. Then the Reverend Theodore Hahn accepted the call and served Redeemer as pastor from 1903 to 1910. In 1911, the Reverend J.R. Graebner became pastor of Redeemer and it was during his ministry at Redeemer that plans for a new church building began. The plans began in 1920, with land at the corner of Rudisill Boulevard and Harrison Street purchased in 1922. A contract was signed with W.A. Sheets construction in 1923 to follow the plans for a new church building according to the architectural plans of Riebel Sons and Matheny of Columbus, Ohio. The cornerstone for this building was laid on July 1, 1923, and the building was finally dedicated on June 1, 1924. Rev. Graebner accepted another call in 1923, prior to the completion of the building, and the Reverend C.W. Baer became Redeemer's new pastor that same year overseeing the final touches to Redeemer's current sanctuary. In the Dedication bulletin for the new building, a paragraph of appreciation was written for the building committee. The following words remind us of the intense dedication the committee gave in undertaking this endeavor:

"If ever a body of men deserve credit for their labor on behalf of the church it is the Building Committee of the English Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. With courage born of faith in their Savior and His blessed Gospel, with their hearts burning with love and loyalty to their church and ever seeking her welfare and future growth, these men have willingly, gladly and unstintingly given their time and the very best thought in them in solving the vast problems confronting them in the erection of this beautiful new church. For many hours they have counciled together sometimes into the wee' small hours of the night, endeavoring to fulfill the wishes of the congregation, discussing perplexing questions arising through the progress of the building, poring over the plans and blue-prints, talking over necessary changes, interviewing contractors, representatives of various companies furnishing materials, furniture, fixtures, and the like, and always having in view the upholding of the architectural beauty and practicability of the edifice. Day after day members of the committee have spent away from their business or desk, inspecting the various propositions and situations as they have arisen on the building site. Loyalty to their fellow members and absolute obedience to their duty and responsibility, laid upon their shoulders by the congregation, has always been their watchword. To them the church owes a lasting gratitude and a continued appreciation for the arduous services rendered. In deepest humility they have prayed, planned, sacrificed time and money, labored, not to secure the praise of men, but that this magnificent temple could be erected to glory and honor and worship of our God and His blessed Christ. "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name, be glory and honor for Thy truth's sake.? And the Gracious Lord has blessed all their efforts. He has crowned their work with success. Glory to His name. The following brethren are members of the Building Committee: C.E. Strasburg, Chairman; William Moeller; Charles Bleke; Harry Baals; H.G. Steup; Oscar Bender; Herman Rippe; Edward Spiegel; E.W. Hickman; William Eisenacher; Pastor C.W. Baer; Carl S. Steup; Charles Adams; Elmer Pierson; Charles Kierspe.

The church was complete, and the ministry of Redeemer continued in its new location. On May 29, 1941 the congregation was deeply grieved and shocked by the death of their pastor. Rev. Erwin Kurth became the new pastor in the same year. Rev. Kurth stayed until 1951, when he left and the Reverend Herbert Lindemann accepted the call to Redeemer. Rev. Lindemann was Redeemer's pastor for almost twenty-five years, when he accepted another call and the Reverend Charles Evanson came to Redeemer in 1975. Rev. Evanson left when he accepted a call to be deployed to Lithuania to be a professor there after twenty-five years at Redeemer. When Rev. Evanson left in the year 2000, the Reverend Daniel Reuning, Kantor of Redeemer Lutheran Church, served as vacancy pastor until the Reverend David H. Petersen accepted the call to become the new and current pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in September of 2000.

Redeemer's sanctuary itself has several interesting points that deserve recognition. The 3 bells of Redeemer were made by St. Louis Bell Foundry and weigh 2780 pounds. The tones of FAC rang for the first time on April 20, 1924 on Easter Sunday, before the actual dedication of the building itself. These bells continue to sound in the bell tower today. The windows of Redeemer were created in the Von Gerichton Ecclesiastic Studios in Munich Bavaria, Germany, and Columbus, Ohio. The colors were burned/baked into the glass. The windows on the north side of the nave were given as memorials, and the windows on the south side were given in gratitude and appreciation. The big east window was given in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Gottlieb Brudi by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Sthair. This window "is a true copy of the famous picture, 'Jesus, the Good Shepherd.' The eye, directed upon it, is immediately fascinated by the rich coloring and the immensity of the window. The imposing figure of the Savior, bearing the lamb in His arms, stands out most prominently from the background of green pastures and a lowering sky, signifying the coming of the storm. The quiet repose of the flock at the feet of the Shepherd, knowing that all is well with them when He is there, the benign and gracious expression of the Christ's countenance, and the restful depiction of the rural surroundings, bring peace and contentment to the heart of the Christian beholder." The first organ at Redeemer was built in 1923 by Hillgreen, Lane and Company and donated by the Ladies' Aid. This organ served the church well for 35 years when the current Schlicker organ was built in 1958. This organ was revoiced in 1991 by Noack, and the organ currently has 26 Registers, 32 Stops, 38 Ranks, and 2015 Pipes. The organ was rededicated on November 3, 1991, celebrated with an organ recital by David Fienen, a former music director of Redeemer.

Over the years, Redeemer Lutheran Church has had many faithful pastors to administer God's Word and Sacrament and provided many people with a place of worship. Most of all, we thank our Lord for His continuous service to us as our Good Shepherd and Redeemer. He has provided Redeemer Lutheran Church to us as a place for gathering and receiving His gifts, and we give all glory and honor to Him!

+ Soli Deo Gloria +